Systems and methods for providing multimedia content within an application and a security solution integrated therein

ABSTRACT

A system is provided for downloading, for distribution and for acoustic reproduction of a music album, which includes at least one or several digital music files and/or multimedia content in the form of one or several multimedia files assignable to the music file, wherein the music file and/or multimedia file are provideable as data sets for downloading, wherein the music file and/or multimedia file are as data sets pre-holdable grouped after downloading as a music album in a data memory of an end-user-device, wherein the music file and/or multimedia file is treatable by a treatment means, particularly in dependency to an authorization, and wherein the treated music file and/or multimedia file is transferable to an output device of the end-user-device, especially a speaker device with or without a display device, in such a way, that the music file and/or multimedia file is at least acoustically emittable to one user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/728,358 filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,705,866 issuing Jul.11, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/715,067 filed Dec. 14, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,083,688 issued Jul.14, 2015, which in turn claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(a)-(d) to German Patent Application No. DE 102012022064.2 filedNov. 9, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a system and a method for playing one or moremusic files and/or multimedia files, particularly in the form of a musicalbum assignable digital music files, and to an end-user-device by meansof which the system can be stored and executed.

BACKGROUND

Background of the present disclosure is that in 2012, still 95 percentof all music downloads were made illegal. Thus the European CreativeIndustry will lose a turnover of about 240 billion euros due to thistype of piracy till 2015. The losses due to free downloading of music,videos and films could cost the creative industry in Europe alone till2015 about 1.2 million jobs. (Source: Study “Building a Digital Economy:The Importance of Saving Jobs in the EU's Creative Industries”, 2009,TERA Consultants).

The main problem is that piracy is very easy to carry out respectivelyit is too easy to get free music, videos and movies respectively todisseminate them. The financial damage for the music industry in 2009caused by piracy (worldwide) amounts more than 4 billion euros estimatedby the industry association.

However, in 2010 sales of downloaded music increased by 6 percent to 4.6billion dollars (3.4 billion euros). Meanwhile, almost a third of allsales of the record companies comes from the digital business: Theproportion grew in 2011 by 6 percentage points to 29 percent. It can beseen a very strong trend that sales will increase in this area in theupcoming years significantly. The share of digital revenues in theglobal music market in 2012 is 29%. In the U.S. the share is, however,already nearly 50%, while in Europe the proportion is still at 20% andtherefore has an even greater potential for growth. In 2010, with anincrease of 20% Europe had the largest growth in the digital market, andalso has a more stable physical recorded music market.

Additionally, attention should be paid to a steady increase in mobileused end-user-devices. Until 2016, according to market research theexpenditure on mobile marketing should increase by eight times. Herebyan enormous growth market, especially in the mobile sector, can be seenby inference. Another notable development takes place in the field ofmobile operators that offer due to changing pricing structures simpleand cheap tariffs en mass, especially with so-called download flatrates. Such downloads flat rates allow to receive large data packets viamobile device or tablet PC which caused even in the recent history ofthis technology area huge costs. Due to the more and more widespreadstorage of data in the internet or in the cloud, the data is often notlocally stored on the devices of the users, but on servers and can beuse over the Internet anywhere in the world, on any device (computer,tablet pc and mobile phone, especially smartphone), in particular usinga password. Music, movies, photos and documents are not only stored inthe cloud, but with special features of the cloud directly usable. Forexample, a playback function exists with which you can listen to musicstored in the cloud via a player of the app. This is firstlyadvantageous because the data stored in the cloud can be rendered bymeans of a player of the app and a direct access to this data will notbe possible, so that the illegal distribution is restricted. On theother hand, this is a disadvantage, since a permanent transfer of datafrom the cloud to the end-user-device must be performed, thus tomaintain the data connection a high energy requirement is needed, whichhas in particular an extremely negative impact on the maximum operatingtime of mobile devices.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a system,a method and an end-user-device for carrying out the system, by means ofwhich the disadvantages known from the prior art, i.e., the easydistribution of digital media and the high effort of cloud solutions,will be removed.

The solution of the aforementioned object is on the one hand accordingto claim 1 by means of a system or an application (hereinafter App) forthe distribution and playback of digital media, in particular from amusic album relatable digital music files respectively at least a musicfile or video files, particularly at least one music file and/ormultimedia file. The digital media are preferably at least temporarilyprovideable as encrypted data sets on an end-user-device and by aprocessing means of the system as a function of an authorizationtreated, in particular at least decoded, suppliable to an output deviceof an end-user-device, in particular a speaker means, for outputting toa user. Moreover, user identification data, in particular user-specificprofile information, which are recorded for the authorization by thesystem, are preferably interchangeable with data that are held on aserver device. Due to the system of the disclosure a user can store, runor play a single piece of music or a plurality of music pieces on hisend-user-device. Here, at least a piece of music respectively aCD-Single or multiple pieces of music in the form of a music albumcorresponding multimedia content in the form of multimedia files may beincluded.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thesystem or a storable and executable control program for renderingdigital media, which in particular can be output by means of anend-user-device, at least one storage means, by means of which thedigital media can be stored in a data memory of the end-user-device,wherein at least one part of the digital media is temporarily encrypted.Further, the control program comprises a control means for comparison ofauthorization data with data pre-held on a server device, wherein thecontrol means transmits the authorization data by means of atransmitting device of the end-user-device to the server device andwherein by the control means after the comparison of the authorizationdata a decryption code transmitted from the server means to decrypt atleast parts of the encrypted digital media stored by the storing meansis processable. Further the control program comprises a treatment meansby means of which the digital media is decrypted based on the decryptionkey and is transferable and outputable acoustically, in particulartransferable to a loudspeaker device of the end-user-device.

This inventive solution is highly advantageous, since it pre-holdsdigital media to be output in particular in the form of digital musicfiles identifiable from a music album at least temporarily, inparticular until a proper authorization of the operator and/or one ormore end-user-devices is carried out, as encrypted data and thusprotected from illegal distribution. Further, the encrypted data setsare part of the system respectively of the control software and thuslinked with additional means, in particular the control means and theprocessing means, that simple copying, e.g., of an mp3 file, from thesystem respectively the control software is not possible. Further, theinventive solution provides due to the local storage of the data setsthe advantage that after successful authorization an acoustic output ofthe music files can be carried out, without a further data comparisonrespectively data exchange with a server device would be necessary.

With the disclosure system and the inventive control software, a newmedium and a new distribution channel for digital media is provided. Theused system respectively control software architecture and the built-inencryption of the digital media or media files pre-hold as data sets inthe storage means allow a new kind of rights management of digitalcontent. The storage means may be referred to as “media safe”, whichforms inside of the system respectively the control software forunauthorized persons an inaccessible data area in which the digitalmedia is pre-hold in the form of data-sets. The system respectively thecontrol software is therefore self-contained, so that at least theprocessing means respectively player components and the storage meansrespectively the “media safe” with encrypted content form a whole.Preferably, further action means, particularly for issuing of bonuscontent with respect to the artists, can be part of this unit. In thissystem and the control software are preferably exactly used one or atleast one encryption method, or at least two, exactly two or several ofencryption schemes, allowing the safe use of digital media as well asadvanced control for the right holders. The system or the controlsoftware restricts use compared to unprotected data, such as mp3 files,preferably by one, several or a combination of several of preferably inthe following named measures/properties.

Digital media are secured within the system respectively the controlsoftware and in particular by the storage means respectively in the“media safe” by use of respectively in form of a file encrypted with theAdvanced Encryption Standard (AES algorithm).

A decryption key, especially a 256-bit or 512-bit key, is preferablykept online, especially secured, on a server device designed for dataexchange with the system respectively the control software. Here, it isconceivable that the decryption key is generated by the systemrespectively the control software locally on the end-user-device or bycombining the system respectively the control software and the serverdevice or only by the server device.

The digital media data stored in the storage means respectively by useof the storage means are preferentially processed with AAC and H.264codecs, preferably are provided in MPEG-4 containers. They are onlyafter decryption of the “media's safe” respectively the encrypteddata-sets pre-hold in the memory means, containing the digital media inparticular in the form of a music album assignable digital music files,treatable by the treatment means, i.e., preferably are outputable orplayable.

It is preferably fixable on how many devices the system respectively thecontrol software with protected digital media, particularly in the formof a music album assignable digital music files is executable to outputthe music files at the same time or at different times. Preferably, thesystem respectively the control software is executable on 2 to 10end-user-devices, and more preferably on 4 to 6 end-user-devices or onmax. 5 or on exactly 5 end-user-devices of a user profile assignable toa particular person or group of persons. To do so, each device must beauthorized. End-user-devices may be preferably (un-)authorized as oftenas one likes. It is also conceivable that the system and the controlsoftware will only work on a single end-user-device of a user profileassignable to a particular person or group of persons.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that restrictions in space, time and/orcontent are determinable. It is conceivable that some digital media canbe executed only in certain countries, only on certain days or duringcertain periods and/or in dependency of the age of the operator of theend-user-device. The digital media in particular in the form of a musicalbum assignable digital music files are particularly preferred onlywithin the system respectively the control software but not with otherstationary or portable music or video players renderable.

The data-sets with the digital media respectively the media files of thesystem respectively the control software can since the systemrespectively the control software and a preferably required online storefor purchasing further systems respectively control software exists,especially app album music store, preferably on any platform, especiallyonly for iOS, Android, Mac OS X, Linux, and/or Microsoft Windows, not beplayed without bypassing the system on different operating systems anddevices.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thedecrypted digital media consisting of a plurality of data sets which areprovided together with a plurality of groups of displayable,particularly in menu form or tiled view via an optical output means ofthe end-user-device dispensable labels. A first group of termspreferably refers to individually each data-set and corresponds at leastpartially to the designation of the respective digital medium of thedata-set, in particular, it reflects the title of the respective storeddata-set of music. A second group of designations reflects preferably acommon feature of a plurality of data-sets, especially belonging to aspecific album.

This embodiment is advantageous in that by means of the various groupsof designations structures, particularly hierarchical structures, aredesignable in such a way that the treatment means respectively a playermeans detects, determines and/or outputs precise affinities of certainfiles that particular contain playable songs of an album to a groupingunit, in particular to the respective album.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure arein addition to the data-sets, which are preferably representingrespectively pre-holding songs of a first album, additional data-sets,especially with songs of another album, by use of the storing means inthe data memory storable, which are also at least temporarily encrypted,wherein the second group of designations of the further data-setsdiffers from the second group of designations of the data-sets.

According to this embodiment it is advantageous that, in the system orin the control program preferably several grouping instances, i.e.,preferably a plurality of albums assignable to an artist or group ofartists, are pre-holdable, identifiable and/or renderable. The digitalmedia of the data-sets and the digital media of the further data-setshave therefore in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure at least one common characteristic, in particular thedata-sets and the further data-sets are assignable to a specific artistor a specific group of artists.

Here, it is conceivable that the individual in a system or controlprogram pre-holded and various grouping instances assigned data-sets canbe decrypted with the same or with different decryption keys.Furthermore, it is also conceivable that different restrictions in viewof the rendering, in particular with respect to certain geographic areasrespectively time periods with respect to rendering and/or age ratings,for different grouping instances, i.e., preferred for different albums,or even for different data sets, i.e., preferred for individual songs,are stored or to be considered for the rendering of the systemrespectively the control program.

Furthermore, the unencrypted digital media can be stored in accordancewith a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, by afurther storage means or a “common app memory” in the data memory of theend-user-device.

It is beneficial herewith that a partition between data or data sets tobe encrypted and data or data sets not to be encrypted respectivelyalways unencrypted data or data sets is possible, whereby especially theencryption effort is reduced to the protected data-sets. Artist relevantdata, especially concert dates, biography information and demo data, cantherefore preferably be output to the operators even without anysuccessfully completed authorization, to set incentives to buy furtheralbums, merchandising products and concert tickets.

In terms of a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,the unencrypted digital media are assigneable to a variety of actionmeans, in particular an information means, a reference means, adocumentation means and/or a communication means. The action means canbe understood for example as categories or selection areas of the systemor of the control program, through which access is made possible for theoperator to various thematic and functional units.

The various action means are constructed in accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment of the present disclosure to exchange data withfurther server devices different from the server devices wherebydata-sets assignable to the individual action means which especiallycomprise digital media, such as interviews, news, magazinecollaborations, biographies or lyrics, are transmittable or updateablefrom the further server devices.

In an age of fast-growing Internet, the therewith associated data flowand the digitalization music offerings must become more extensive. It isno longer sufficient to just hold a CD in a plastic case in a hand. Thecustomer wants “more for his money” and thereby to be more interactivelyintegrated and “closer” to his star.

With the inventive system and control program the user gets newopportunities to interact with digital content and artists as well asthe music, media, information and film industry gets more control overthe use and distribution of digital media and content.

Digital media, especially in the form of a music album assignabledigital music files, are thus directly held respectively integratedrespectively packaged in an application, which is preferably obtainablevia an App Store. The system or the control program brings back theformerly loved haptic of CDs and DVDs as interactive media app withintuitive and easy handling into the digital age, where music and videosare so far essentially managed as lists only. Besides the provision ofdigital media protected from piracy, the disclosure thus provides bymeans of the action means access to additional content, concerning themedia data and/or the artists.

The systems and control programs are preferably individually designedand particularly preferred automated programmed and preferably offeredfor purchase in an online store, especially an app album store.

If the system respectively control program is designed to play backmovies, preferred at least a complete video, bonus material and/or aninteractive look book, similar to a recent DVD, only with the advantagesof direct interaction by the user, i.e., the user can directly interactwith the content, the services, shopping links, artist chats etc. areprovided, whereby the operator respectively the user is moved out of alean-back position.

These options provide the artists, bands and music labels chances toavoid the damage they suffered through illegal downloads via internet.The acceptance of apps, the revenue therewith and the growing mobilemarket show the opportunities and needs in this growing industry. Theadded value of the system respectively the control software with themanifold content, which is expandable in a flexible manner, and with thepossible cooperation is enormous and exceeds the one of a music CD byfar.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure anaction means embodied as a purchase means provides the network address,encryption and/or permission necessary for a successful purchase withone of the further server devices of artist-related analog or digitalgoods and services.

Distribution partners may be also involved due to the inventive designof the system respectively the control program. Preferably, each serverdevice is assigned to one or more distribution partners. Thedistribution partners can thereby offer particular preferably identical,similar or completely different goods and services over the variousaction means.

This new way of distribution of digital media, particularly musicdistribution, offers the artists and record labels the best way to takethe needs and interests of their fans into account with a variety ofcontents integrated in the system respectively the control program, inparticular an app.

In times of constantly rising sales of mobile devices, such as tabletPCs, laptops and smartphones, the rapid expansion of mobile network andalways ongoing modernization of smartphones, the present disclosure thusdescribes a new way, especially for music distribution. It is no longerenough for music lovers to just keep a plastic case with a silver CD anda booklet printed on paper as a “music album” in the hand. With theinventive system respectively control program additional value iscreated which has not been reached to date by a medium, especially formusic and/or videos. A system respectively control program focused onplay back of music can preferably include inter glia a complete musicalbum, an interactive booklet, animated lyrics, videos, interviews,wallpapers, lotteries, social media activities and/or combinationsthereof, etc. These contents are preferably individually, target groupspecific and ad infinitum extendable.

An action means designed as a communication means causes according to afurther preferred embodiment of the present disclosure a data exchangewith one of the other server devices between an end-user-deviceoperating operator and a communication platform for posting articles orfor data exchange with at least one further end-user-device, inparticular mobile end-user-device, also equipped with an inventivesystem respectively control program, in particular according to claim 9or 10.

The operator receives because of the return channel capability of thesupported devices (such as smartphones, PCs, tablet PCs) in anadvantageous way a new way of interaction, particularly in the form ofshopping links, artist chats, social media links and/or followers, etc.The operator obtained because of the system respectively the controlprogram in an advantageous way a direct path to an artist respectivelygroup of artists.

Individual or all action means or individual or all sub means of anaction means are in a further preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure displayable with an optical output means of theend-user-device in a display format beneath other means, such as thetreatment means.

The action means may preferably be arranged respectively arrangeable inlist form, tile shape, folder shape, icon shape and/or any other desiredoptical display variant at fixedly predetermined or at freely by theoperator selectable positions of one for the optical output used screenof the end-user-device. The number of action means is preferablydetermined by the system respectively the control program or the serverdevice for each system respectively control program or for severalsystems respectively control programs at least differing in view of theartist, wherein it is also conceivable that the number of the actionmeans and/or the content output by the action means is expandable and/orreducible.

This can e.g., specifically mean that in a system or control programaction means are provided in the form of an information means forpre-holding concert information, a purchase means for purchasingmerchandise products and/or a documentation means for pre-holding ofbiographies. It is now conceivable, that for example the purchase meanswill be deleted by the operator, as the operator has no interest inmerchandising products, however adds to the information means or as anindependent action means e.g., a photo album or song text archive. Thephoto album or song text archive may preferably be provided through theserver device.

With the inventive system and control program is especially for theright holders the new way to distribute digital media controlled andsafe in an advantageous manner obtained and due to the interactionmodules and action means, such as the communication means or thepurchase means, it is possible to be closer to the fan/customerrespectively the operator. Thus, the companies operating in thesesectors can more precisely consider the needs of the target groups andput together respectively make up and offer more focused products andproduct bundles.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosureunencrypted data sets include digital media in the form of texts and thetexts can be output by means of the optical output means of theend-user-device, wherein while simultaneous output of preferablytemporarily encrypted data sets, such as music files, multiple textcomponents of texts pre-hold in the unencrypted data sets can be brieflyoptically emphasized depending on the output of the temporarilyencrypted data.

This means for the user a beneficial extension of its previously knownand habitual consumerism. Similarly as before at a music CD or a videoDVD the user receives all the opportunities to consume the content(music or video) as well as the bonus material. New features, such ase.g., automatically rendering of deposited lyrics like a karaoke systemgenerate a better understanding of music and/or due to the effect of theresulting high entertainment value a strong customer loyalty of theoperators.

Further, the control means loads for a comparison of the authorizationdata in accordance with a further preferred embodiment at least data tothe operator and to the end-user-device from a memory means andtransmits these data to the server means. The server device transmits inresponse to the matching request either an error message and the controlmeans causes that an input field for inputting authorization data isdisplayed to the operator and repeats the comparison after the operatorhas confirmed the input data, or the server device sends the decryptionkey to the control means when predetermined requirements are met,whereby at least a portion of the encrypted data stored in the storagemeans is decryptable and renderable.

This embodiment is advantageous because the system respectively thecontrol program allows by means of the control means an assignment ofthe authorization data. The authorization data can beoperator-specifically and/or device-specifically designed. In the caseof only operator-specific data a privilege is regardless of the deviceand thus preferred dependent on operator data only, such as a user name,user password, etc. In the case of device-specific authorization dataonly, the use of the inventive system respectively control program isindependent of operator-specific data and thus bound to theend-user-device or the respective end-user-device software. In case ofcombined person-specific data and device-specific data an activation ofthe system or a utilization of the system only takes place at certainend-user-devices and/or only on a certain number of end-user-devices andin due consideration of operator data, such as a user name and/or a userpassword, etc.

The present disclosure is further directed to a method for renderingdigital media, especially in the form of a music album assignabledigital music files, on an end-user-device. The inventive methodpreferably comprises at least the step of storing the digital media in adata memory of the end-user-device by means of a storage means, whereinat least a portion of the digital media is temporarily encrypted andunencrypted at least partially acoustically output by means of theend-user-device, the step of comparing authorization data with datapre-hold on a server device by means of a control means, wherein saidcontrol means transmits the authorization data via a transmission deviceof the end-user-device to the server device, and wherein after thecomparison of the authorization data a decryption key transmitted fromthe server device for decrypting of at least parts of the encrypteddigital media stored by the storing means is processable by said controlmeans and the step of preparing and at least acoustically outputting ofthe digital media decrypted by means of the decryption key via speakermeans actuatable by the end-user-device by means of a treating means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure thecontrol means loads for comparing the authorization data at least datato the operator and to the end-user-device from a memory means andtransmits that data to the server means. The server device transmits inresponse to the matching request either an error message and the controlmeans causes that an input field for inputting authorization data isdisplayed to the operator and repeats the comparison after the operatorhas confirmed said input data, or the server device sends the decryptionkey to the control means when predetermined requirements are met,whereby at least a portion of the encrypted data stored in the storagemeans will be decrypted and rendered.

The present disclosure further relates to an end-user-device for storingand executing the described control program according to the disclosure,in particular according to one of the claims 1 to 15. A plurality ofcontrol programs according to the disclosure, in particular according toone of claims 1 to 15, are preferably storable and executable on theend-user-device respectively loadable to the end-user-device, inparticular downloadable from a server device. This has the advantagethat the operator can pre-hold a variety of inventive systemsrespectively control programs equipped with digital media to variousartists and/or groups of artists executable on the end-user-device.Preferably a system respectively control program is designed as a masterinstance, in particular as a control program with respect to a firstartist, and the remaining control programs are designed as slaveinstances, in particular as control programs regarding other artists,wherein the digital media associated to the slave instances is at leasttemporarily accessible by the master instance. Preferably the slaveinstances are selectable respectively controllable in such a way fromthe master instance that their digital media are executable in the sameway from the master instance as the digital media of the masterinstance.

Alternatively or additionally it is nevertheless also conceivable that aplurality of control programs according to the disclosure are pre-heldon the end-user-device, which are independently controllable, storable,executable, expandable, deleteable and/or upgradeable.

The disclosure thus relates in particular to a system in combinationwith a digital rights management (DRM) system for the provision ofmultimedia files in an application/app respectively a method for secureplayback of multimedia files and to a methods for outputting multimediafiles, wherein a variety of functional processes coupled with the methodfor secure playback of multimedia files respectively a plurality ofinteractive possibilities is provided linked to the system, wherein amethod for play back multimedia files, a method to integrate a bookletwith interactive content and/or an integrated extensible native userinterface that facilitates the handling of the application can beprovided, wherein the user interface preferably comprises: fields forbonus material, fields for multimedia content, fields for lotteries incooperation with partners, access to all social activities, fields forinterviews as video content or text form, fields for an overview ofconcerts, access to newspapers and magazines and/or a selection menuwithin the user interface of the application, which can be expandedand/or combinations thereof.

Preferably a multimedia file is a music piece, a music video or a movierespectively pre-holds such a digital medium. It is also conceivablethat the number of multimedia files is stepless expandable as well asthe type of multimedia files. The files are preferably, especially themultimedia files, as stream renderable, especially the multimediacontents are streamable via a server device. The files or multimediafiles are preferably also provided as an in-app bonus and areparticularly preferred provideable by partners.

Further, a system according to the disclosure preferably includesgraphical material in digital form, wherein the graphic material can bephotographs in digital form, which for example are pre-hold or displayedin a static or interactive “Booklet”, wherein it is additionally oralternatively conceivable that these photo files can also be displayedin a photo gallery of the application and/or can be displayed in a lightbox with a back and forth control.

It is also possible that the images can be shared and distributed by thenative user interface between the fans and the users, especially theimages are also or additionally used by the internal system programmingas a desktop background or wallpaper.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure thesystem according to the disclosure includes a booklet, in which photosare shown, lyrics are incorporated, which are preferred readable alongand/or credit information is stored to record labels, photographersand/or designers and that preferentially can be extended with anycontent. For the purposes of the disclosure the booklet may also betermed as a look-book. It is also conceivable that the lyrics aredisplayed as animated lyrics and/or are displayed in parallel to themusic, especially at the same time. The booklet preferably may comprisecontent such as advertising collaborations, news feeds, information,stories, magazine- and journal-access and/or shopping offers. A bookletcan preferably also provide further links to web pages outside of theapplication.

The system according to the disclosure includes a native or app-internplayer respectively a processing means for outputting at least audiblesignals and preferably for the acoustic output of songs. Such atreatment means preferably causes play back, fast-forward and rewindand/or volume control and/or a stop & pause function. Furthermore, thesystem takes over any “normal” media player functions such as play,pause, mute, unmute, skip, next media item, prey. media item, shuffle,for the current album, shuffle through several albums and systems (ifseveral app albums or systems are installed) and/or the selection of aparticular media items. A treatment means may preferably additionally oralternatively also play video files with the same functionality.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosuremusic videos can be provided within the application, wherein thesepreferably can be streamed via external server.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thesystem preferably contains bonus material, the bonus material mayparticular preferably include wallpapers, lotteries, vouchers, vouchercampaigns, shopping guides to relevant shops and/or concert tickets andcan be easily extended.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thesystem includes a native user interface with communication capabilitiesfor users registered with the system respectively users that are loggedin, wherein preferred real-time microblogging by telegram-like textmessages is possible. Further, it is conceivable that the systemcomprises an own social platform, on which a profile can be created, andby means of which the operators of the system can communicate with eachother.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thesystem includes a “media safe”, in particular a storage medium, i.e., acontainer for digital media files encrypted by the Advanced EncryptionStandard (AES algorithm) or similar process, so that the thereinrespectively therewith stored content data is not readable and usable.The methodology preferably includes requesting from a server devicerespectively from a highly available application servers on the basis ofe.g., a user ID, device ID and/or media safe/album app/system ID a keyto unlock the media safe. Furthermore it is conceivable that the systemcomprises a method for the application of the requested key and thus tounlock the “media safe” and thus for consummation of the content,wherein the system preferably does not known the “media safe”—key andparticular preferably never stores it on the device. The systempreferably includes methods, procedures or routines for handling commonencryption methods, such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AESalgorithm), with different and variable key sizes, such as 128, 192,256, 512 bits.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thesystem further comprises methods, processes or routines forcommunicating with a server device, in particular to communicate withthe app album server system. The system preferably includes functionsfor registration, new registration and/or account management of the useraccount with respect to at least one supplier, especially with respectto the system respectively app store supplier. Thus, the system cancommunicate encrypted and/or unencrypted with the server device and theappalbum server through standard network protocols (http, https).

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, thesystem comprises methods, procedures or routines by means of which aplurality of app albums respectively several systems according to thedisclosure can be managed on an end-user-device. In addition, for eachsystem respectively app album preferably a shortcut with a deep link canbe created on the desktop, each “media safe” can be decryptedindividually, a parent media index can be created and/or media can bemade playable via index.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the system can be extended to anytype of multimedia content, wherein it preferably does not require anyparticular rule to expand the user interface and the system.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, afurther or alternative action means is preferably designed as a livestream means. This live stream means preferably provides online accessto events taking place respectively running live like e.g., pressconferences, concerts, opera, theater, and/or public appearances. Thelive stream means preferably comprises links to the artist/artists,whose music files are pre-hold in the inventive system, allowing aconnection to an event. Preferably, the live stream means provides alsodata, such as the duration, start time and/or the location of the eventby means of which the event time can preferably be tracked. Furthermore,it is also conceivable that the event can be viewed in real time and/ortime-displaced. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the transmission ofthe event is storable on the end-user-device by means of the live streammeans. The live stream means can be preferably coupled to the purchasemeans or comprises its own function for purchasing the stored eventdata. It is also or alternatively possible that the live stream of anevent is billable or payable by the purchase means or the live streammeans.

Additional advantages, objects and features of the present disclosurewill be explained with reference to the following description of theenclosed drawings, in which are exemplarily illustrated systems, methodsand devices for playback of digital media according to the disclosure.Components, procedural steps and system components according to thedisclosure, which correspond in the figures at least substantially inview of their function can be identified with the same referencenumerals, wherein these components, procedural steps and systemcomponents do not need to be numbered or explained in all of thefigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows a first output device;

FIG. 1b shows a second output device;

FIG. 2a shows a third output device;

FIG. 2b shows a fourth output device;

FIG. 3a shows an example of a start screen according to the inventivesystem;

FIG. 3b shows an example of a user interface according to the inventivesystem;

FIG. 4a shows an action means designed as booklet for the display ofimages;

FIG. 4b shows an example of interactive lyrics;

FIG. 5a shows an example of a link, especially a shopping link;

FIG. 5b shows an example of a media outline;

FIG. 6a shows an example of the integration of a social network into thesystem;

FIG. 6b shows an example of additional features, in particular theprovision of games;

FIG. 7a shows an example for the purchase of digital media through thesystem, in particular an overview regarding in-app shopping;

FIG. 7b shows an example of an overview of additional functionsrespectively action means, especially a list of bonus material;

FIG. 8a shows an example of animated lyrics;

FIG. 8b shows an example of a treatment means, in particular a playbackmeans, for outputting the digital media to an operator;

FIG. 9a shows an example of an abstract representation of the systemarchitecture;

FIG. 9b shows an example of an abstract representation of the systemarchitecture;

FIG. 10a shows an example of the interaction of end-user-device, systemand server device respectively server system;

FIG. 10b shows an example of a network process, how it may be possiblefor the integration of the system in a sales or purchase system;

FIG. 11a shows an example of an application and/or registration process,as it can be done in the context of the disclosure;

FIG. 11b shows an example of a system management in the presence ofmultiple systems and/or a plurality of in a system pre-held digitalmedia groups, in particular of different music albums from one artist orseveral artists;

FIG. 12 shows another example of a system management in the presence ofmultiple systems and/or a plurality of in a system pre-held digitalmedia groups, in particular of different music albums from one artist orseveral artists;

FIG. 13a shows an example of a purchase and/or installation processduring receiving the system;

FIG. 13b shows an example of a purchase process during receiving ofcomponents of the system, particularly in terms of other music albums ofan artist;

FIG. 14a shows a system according to the disclosure with intuitiveactuating elements; and

FIG. 14b shows a further system according to the disclosure with anotherarrangement of the actuating elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary andthat various and alternative forms may be employed. The figures are notnecessarily to scale. Some features may be exaggerated or minimized toshow details of particular components. Therefore, specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilledin the art.

In FIGS. 1a to 2b various devices for storing and executing theinventive system 100 respectively control program are presented. The appalbum 100 can thus be installed and operated on different devices, suchas a smart phone 101 (cf. FIG. 1a ), a tablet computer 103 (cf. FIG. 1b), a television 104 (cf. FIG. 2a ), an app album player 105 (cf. FIG. 2b) as well as on all other system-enabled respectively app album-enabledoutput devices.

It is conceivable and desirable that in the future app album-enabledoutput devices will be developed, such as an app album player that issuitable like a CD player or TV to run the system 100.

A symbol representing the system of the disclosure 100, in particular anicon, is arrangeable with other applications 102 on the surface of therespective output device, for example 101, 103, 104 (cf. FIGS. 1a-2b ).

FIG. 1a shows a schematic view of an output device (smartphone) 103 withdifferent applications 102 and an inventive system 100 (blackhighlighted) according to the principles of the disclosure.

In FIG. 1b are shown a schematic view of an output device (tabletcomputer) with different applications, and an app album (shown in black)according to the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 2a shows a schematic view of an output device (television) withdifferent applications 102 and a system of the disclosure 100respectively an app album (black highlighted) according to theprinciples of the disclosure.

FIG. 2b shows a schematic view of an output device (app album player)with different applications 102 and a system of the disclosure 100(black highlighted) according to the principles of the disclosure.

In FIG. 3a an initial screen of the opened system of the disclosure isshown, showing a cover 106. The user respectively the operator startsthe system 100 according to the disclosure on the output device 103,104, 105, or all of the other output devices, which preferably causes astart-up screen to be displayed respectively to appear, which forexample shows the cover 106 of the app album. It has to be understoodthat the home screen does not necessarily have to be a cover 106, butalso other image, text or movie material can be displayed.

FIG. 3b shows a home screen with a preferred user interface and aselection menu. The selection menu shows preferably different actionmeans by means of which various functionalities of the inventive systemare controllable.

The main menu 107 is preferably located on the start screen 106. Themain menu 107 is preferably locatable on any area of the start screen.It is herewith conceivable that the main menu 107 can be freelycustomized and for example structured in list form and/or tile form.Action means preferably specified through the main menu 107 in the formof labels are preferably free arrangeable, supplementable, changableand/or removable, thereby with respect to the design of the main menu107 no particular rule is required. By invoking the inventive systempreferably entire surface 108 of the menu appears which preferably canbe extended by any point. The number of categories is preferably notfixed, wherein it is conceivable that for certain variants of embodimentof the inventive system the number of categories can be defined. On thesurface of the main menu 108 are preferably the action means arrangedand displayed: i.e., an interactive booklet, videos, pictures,interviews, lyrics, news, in Concert as well as the app internal player,the bonus material, features, artist information, biographies, magazineco-operations, social media activities and/or lotteries and/orcombinations thereof etc. The number of categories respectively actionmeans is preferably not fixed and may be extended.

In FIG. 4a a booklet with images is shown that is preferably browsableby scrolling or wiping.

The user can select the individual category and arrives for instance inthe area of interactive booklet 109. The pages of the booklet 109 (thatcan be also called look book) can be by means of scrolling or wiping(especially smartphones and tablets) selected respectively invoked, andare thus displayed for viewing. An interactive booklet 109 maypreferably be consisting of a variety of contents. It can show images asphotographs or drawings. It can play back movies and music videos.Through external links cooperation-partner sites can be accessed as wellas access to the World Wide Web can be established. Other systems of thedisclosure may be purchased respectively bought through in-apppurchases. Further, for example mp3 CDs can be purchased on partnersites. The contents of the booklet are therefore particularly preferablynot limited.

In FIG. 4b an interactive booklet page with lyrics to one song and imagematerial is shown.

To the interactive content of the booklet 109 belongs e.g., an info-link112, which can show a variety of details after actuation 112-1 (see FIG.5a ), such as: shop offers on external sites by collaboration partners,information, stories and/or news and/or combinations thereof. The numberof details is preferably not set. Furthermore, lyrics are preferablydisplayed, which can be read by scrolling, i.e., its text not displayedis e.g., viewed by scrolling or wiping. Likewise respectivelyadditionally or alternatively social media activities can be included aslive view.

In FIG. 5a a booklet page is shown, in which interactive content isinvoked. A linking to an “online shop” can be seen e.g., from theillustration, that generates in dependency to an specific actuation anaccess to an online shop.

A preferred selection page of the application for videos is shown inFIG. 5b . By a home button 129 one gets preferred any time from any areaof the application 100 back to the main menu 107. The arrangement of thebutton is preferably not defined and particularly preferably freelyestablished. Another area respectively another action means of theapplication is preferably the video area 113. Music videos, films and/orinterviews, 114 may be provided i.e., initially be integrated into thesystem or be playable by streaming from partner sites. The films areeither playable preferred through the app-internal player respectivelythe native respectively the system-internal processing means or by theplayers of the partner sites or by a player pre-hold on theend-user-device. Content of film material can preferably be added in anarbitrarily manner by a further navigation 115.

In FIG. 6a a section of the application 100 is shown that is designed toshow social media activities. This section is preferably referred to anaction means, especially to a communication means. The inventive system100 contains respectively comprises preferably at least onecommunication means respectively a social media area 116. This maypreferably include access to any or all social media platforms, such asfor example enables access to a Facebook profile of the artist and/orthe operator. The operator can preferably select other social mediaplatforms with a selection menu 117, and may access them with the rightlogin.

In FIG. 6b an example of a selection page for selecting games of theapplication 100 is shown.

This game section can preferably consist of games of partner companiesand/or games specially programmed and configured in relation to therespective specific artist determined by the system. The number of gamesrequires preferably no particular rule. The games or the games list canhereby be termed as action means, particularly as games means.

FIG. 7a shows a selection section for several inventive systems 100respectively app albums of an artist, which are preferably purchasablewith a purchase means from a app store respectively from a server devicedirectly out of the system and can be preferably directly respectivelyautomatically integrated into the system 100. In order to increase thenumber of sales of the artist and the revenue of music labels preferablywith a specially provided action means, especially a purchase means,respectively a category, a product catalog 118, especially to the artistand/or the music label, is integrated respectively made available. Therepreferably through further links to partners and/or the music appplatform more app albums, CDs, DVDs or music files, especially mp3s, ofthe artist can be offered. Preferably immediate in-app purchases, i.e.,purchasing of digital media through the system, can be handledrespectively causes with a payment partner.

In FIG. 7b for example a section of bonus material of the application100 is shown. The inventive system 100 has therefore preferably afurther action means, in particular a bonus means, respectively afurther category, namely the bonus material 119. There are preferredactions 120, such as contests, coupon offers from partners and/orcooperation and/or combinations thereof, etc. located respectivelypre-held. Wallpaper can be provided there too, wherein none sectionneeds a specific control, which means that the individual elementsrespectively components of the bonus means are preferably locatedrespectively pre-hold in any form and/or arrangement within theapplication 100 or within the bonus means. Furthermore, it is alsoconceivable that e.g., with the purchase means also freely availablemusic can be offered or ordered. This category is configuredrespectively expandable arbitrarily with a system supplier and/or theoperators.

In FIG. 8a a section for lyrics with preferably animated text flow isshown, which is currently, i.e., to the correlating text passages of thesongs output at the same time by the treatment means, highlighted. Themain menu 107 thus preferably includes another category, namely that oflyrics 121. This preferably includes individual and more preferably alllyrics of the songs renderable by the system. Therefore, lyrics can bepreferably read and/or displayed as animated lyrics, which arepreferably played continuously. Furthermore, the current text passages122 are highlighted in terms of color and/or by size change. This inparticular promotes the effect of karaoke singing.

In FIG. 8b the app-own player is shown with start/stop, forward andrewind, fast forward and fast rewind and volume function. Thus, in FIG.8b is an important functionality respectively an important section,namely the one of the included songs 122 and/or the app-internal player130 respectively the processing means of the system, shown. The songs orpieces of music can be preferably played by selection. The songs can beadditionally or alternatively played respectively rendered using thetreating means for streaming from partner sites. The app-internal player130 preferably has the following playback functions: start-stop-pause,forward and rewind, fast-forward and fast-rewind, button and/or a volumecontrol. The functions of the processing means 130 can be preferablyexpanded.

In FIG. 9a the technical design of an inventive system 100 is shown. Thesystem preferably represents an application for downloading and/or fordistribution and/or for rendering of digital media, especially musicfiles or video files. The digital media are preferably pre-holdable asdata-sets and with a processing means of the system preferably independency of an authorization processed transferable to an outputdevice of an end-user-device for outputting to a user, in particular aspeaker means, with or without a display device coupled therewith. Thedata sets are preferably at least temporarily encrypted pre-holdable,wherein for the decryption of the data preferably identification datarecorded by the system are interchangeable with data pre held on aserver device for the authorization. Further, the user identificationdata preferably include data to the user and/or to the end-user-deviceand the data pre-hold on the server device preferably comprise userspecific profile data.

The inventive system is an application (App) for digital, in particularmobile, end-user-devices, such as computer, television and/or mobiledevices, such as laptops, smart TVs, tablets etc., which containsrespectively pre-holds in addition to the program logic (for exampleplaying, browsing, sorting of digital media, interacting with contentand artists) also the digital media itself (e.g., audio data or videodata) preferably in current digital formats. The application itselfparticular preferably consists of three main modules no. 3, 4, 6 (cf.FIG. 9a ). Particularly crucial is the strict separation between logicand data in the data section especially between encrypted and “free”data, i.e., that the present system stores as specified by the rightsholder the encrypted digital media in a “media safe” respectivelystorage means and/or puts them as “free” data in the applicationstructure.

In FIG. 9b , the technical program modules are shown again in a moreabstract representation. The application 100 is preferably set up oflogic and data modules listed below.

Module 1 can be termed as user management and app controllerrespectively control means. Each user of the app album has preferably atleast once to login into the application with a valid system account.The module 1 performs this authentication process and handles the entirerights and program control, i.e., it preferably regulates what,especially which digital content, when, especially in which moment or inwhich period, by whom, especially by which operator, and/or on whichdevice is allowed to be seen, played and/or opened. Module 1 ispreferably also responsible for the network authentication with the appalbum server system respectively the app album store.

Module 2 may be termed as a media player for app album audio and videoformats or as treatment means. This program module preferably includesmethodology and/or the decoding method for the “media safe” respectivelythe storage means and/or the required player and interaction logic forthe user. The app album secure media player respectively the treatmentmeans communicates thereby preferably with module 1, it asks inparticularly for the necessary password to decrypt the protected data,opens then the content and provides depending on the content type theappropriate functions for a “secure play” (play, pause, stop, shuffle,next item, previous item, and/or slow motion, etc.).

Module 3 can be termed as application logic. In addition to module 1(User management/control means) and module 2 (secure mediaplayer/treatment means) the application 100 preferably includes methodsfor sorting, filtering and/or representing of content, media and appalbums on several parallel installed app albums. Thereby multiplesystems respectively app albums can be combined, stored individuallyand/or treated as well as grouped according to different filter options(e.g., content of an artist, a genre).

In addition, shopping features for purchasing further app album media inan app album store are integrated in the application 100. In the “news”section as well as in the media search deep links to the app album storeare provided.

Module 8 may be referred to as a data storage respectively as a storagemeans. The data memory of the application is preferably divided into twomain sections, namely in a “normal” storage place on the file system ofthe end-user-device and an encrypted section. The encrypted section ispreferably a file, particularly a container, that preferably can beopened with a valid password, only and then releases the access to theprotected contents.

All data required by the application 100 as well as protected and freemedia data and also metadata are preferably saved in different directorystructures and data modules. General application/user/operating systemsettings belong thereto, which make up module 4. Per system arepreferably free, that is not-protected, media (especially all themetadata about the artist or the work, e.g., images, URLs to videos,texts, twitter messages, etc.) storable respectively pre-holdable in amodule 5.

All the protected media content and an index of all app album contentsare saved on the system in a file section (module 6) encrypted with AES.In this “media safe” respectively storage means the actual mediadatabase (module 7) is preferably located which are the actual mediafiles, such as digital audio or digital video files. These media filescan include any codecs, there are no restrictions built in on purposethat preferably the latest, most advanced and/or the best quality audioand video encoding method can be used constantly.

FIG. 10a preferably shows the total workflow, i.e., how an inventivemethod preferably communicates with a high-availability system over theInternet.

When starting the application on the end-user-device, the systempreferably always tries to connect with the app album server system 12respectively a server device. A system user account is thereforepreferably required. If no account is created, particular preferably asignup process will be immediately started, which can be, for example,illustrated as shown in FIG. 10b . If valid user data have already beenstored, preferably an encrypted (https) network connection 10 will beopened and the credentials (user name, password, app album IDs and/orplayers identification) will be checked. Preferably only in case ofcorrect validation of all the details the key required for the decodingof the “media safe” respectively storage means is transmitted from theserver device to the system.

In FIG. 10b an example of the server-side process is shown, which is runon the album app servers, once an inventive system is started on anend-user-device. This means in detail that the stored user data, inparticular an username and/or password and/or the players ID, inparticular MAC address of the network card respectively UDID or IMEI incases of smartphones, will be transmitted 202 at the application 201start via a data connection to the server device, especially with apreferably https encrypted connection.

The server device checks in a further step 203 the user data andredirects in case of erroneous respectively not yet stored user data,preferably automatically to the signup process 212. In the signupprocess 212 the user is in particular once requested to enter user data213, such as an user name, a password, an email address, a bank accountand/or an address and/or combinations thereof, etc.

When the user profile is successfully created the currently usedend-user-device is activated 214 as a valid end-user-device forperforming the inventive system. In the next step the media piece (i.e.,the digital media respectively the app album content, such as a musicalbum, a video, etc.) is unlocked 215 for that user and/or the activatedend-user-device, wherein preferably several end-user-devices areunlockable. If user data are transmitted 203 during the login attempt orif the signup process has been successfully carried out to 216, theactual login process 204 preferably starts. In the first step, the userdata are checked, in particular a login name, a password and/or a deviceID, whereby the user and the end-user-device are identified 205.

In case of an erroneous check 206 it is preferably redirected to anerror prevention side 207, which particularly preferably provides apassword reset, a security question for password recovery and/or similarmeasures. In case of a successful login preferably the permissions ofthe user, of the player and/or of the media piece are checked 208.

In FIG. 11a an example of a workflow on client-side is illustrated whichcan be executed at the start of a system of the disclosure within thesystem or the application.

In case of an unsuccessful verification 209 it will be redirected to anerror avoiding page 210 according to the comments to FIG. 10b . In caseof a successful verification 209, the decryption key will be in contrasttransmitted 211 to the inventive system by the server device to decryptthe “media safe” or the storage means provided in the inventive systemand the process is particularly preferably continued on client sidewithin the system or the application, i.e., for example within themeaning of the workflow shown in FIG. 11 a.

The stored user and/or device data is loaded 302 from the localapplication memory and transmitted 303 to the server means preferablywith the start of the application 301. If an error occurs 305 during theregistration process the application logic preferably loads theappropriate signup routine 306 with appropriate forms.

After successful authentication 304 the server device preferablytransmits 307 the key “content key”. With this key the app album mediaplayer respectively the processing means is able to decrypt 308 the“media safe” respectively the storage means and to give the includedmedia free 309 for viewing and for use respectively consumption.

After successful decryption of digital media respectively media data thesystem of the disclosure preferably switches into the player mode (cf.FIG. 8b ) and provides all the necessary functions, which are requiredto manage and/or play the digital media files of the “media safe”, forexample available in different formats and encoded with different audioand/or video codecs (e.g., AAC, MP3, H.264, ogg vorbis, etc.).

FIG. 11b shows an example of a preferred nesting/bundling of severalsystems of the disclosure respectively app albums on an end-user-device.

If several systems according to the disclosure are installed on aend-user-device, the system logic respectively application logicpreferably uses the advantage of archiving and indexing of encryptedcontent, i.e., particularly preferably individual independentapplications in which the user should always newly authenticate are notcreated, but the present system preferentially recognizes that it isinstalled and configures itself as a “virtual CD rack” and preferablyprovides also an overview and administrative level for all installedmusic files of the inventive system.

The inventive system preferably includes a method to sort and torepresent the content for a better usability. Are e.g., several systemsof the disclosure installed, the user preferably can specify in thesystem settings if each system of the disclosure should appear as asingle icon (cf. FIG. 12), if all app albums of an artist are groupedtogether in one “artist” app album, if all the songs of a particulargenre (e.g., “Rock/Pop”) and/or if all of the installed media will bedisplayed in a global app album. According to this setting app albumthen opens exactly the one or even several albums and preferably offersmore than further searching and/or sorting features to allow filteringby artist, albums and/or genres.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a schedule according to which a purchaseand/or installation process of an inventive system can take place suchas a first-time purchase and/or installation process. The purchase of aninventive system and the purchase of digital media, especially musicfiles by means of the inventive system, can be done via differentdistribution channels of third parties (app stores and web shops otherproviders) and/or in a own app music store and happens preferably independency of the respective shopping operators and particularlypreferably always according to a workflow, such as invoked below. Thepresentation focuses primarily on the distribution of the inventivesystems and preferably not on the individual aspects of shopping.

The user opens in the browser of the end-user-device an app album store402 respectively by unknown suppliers the media section/category andbrowses through the available products 403. In case of a buyingintention he puts them into the shopping cart and goes to checkout 404.Then or before the user authenticates at the shop 405 or registers thereas a new user and preferably stores his payment data and approves thepurchase.

The user preferably receives the download URL for the corresponding appstore and downloads 406 his app album respectively inventive system tothe appropriate end-user-device after successful purchase.

During the initial start 407 of the inventive system the user mustpreferably login once in the system and/or register and/or activate 408the play back device. Preferably after successful activation thepurchased content, especially the music and/or video files, will beautomatically downloaded 409 to the end-user-device and is thenavailable in encrypted form to be decrypted and/or for consumption.

FIG. 13b shows an example of the app album media buying processrespectively the purchase of music files by means of the inventivesystem.

In case an app album has been installed jet the process described withrespect to FIG. 13a is significantly simplified. The user opens the appalbum store directly in the app 410 respectively in the inventive systemand browses through the available content 411. Alternatively oradditionally, he follows the shopping links stored under app album newsand gets preferably directly to an offer. The user transfers the offerin the shopping cart and accepts the purchase actively. As a registeredoperator of the inventive system all payment information are preferablyalready stored and downloading of the new content (digital media,particularly music) starts particularly preferably immediately.

Therefore, the inventive system preferably can be understood as a systemfor downloading as well as for distribution and for the acousticreproduction of digital media files, wherein the digital music files areprovideable as data sets for downloading and wherein the digital musicfiles as data sets are pre-holdable grouped as music album in a datamemory of an end-user-device after downloading and wherein the digitalmusic files are treatable by a treatment means in dependence of anauthorization, and wherein the treated music files are transferable toan output device of the end-user-device, in particular a speaker meanswith or without a display device coupled therewith, for acoustic outputto an user.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the unencrypted data respectivelydata sets respectively digital media are also partially or completelypre-holdable as encrypted data, data sets or digital media, especiallyin the storage means.

Therefore, the inventive system may be preferably understood as a systemfor downloading, for the distribution and for the acoustic reproductionof digital music files corresponding to a music album, wherein thedigital music files are provideable for downloading as data sets andwherein the digital music files as data sets are pre-holdable grouped asmusic album in a data memory of an end-user-device after downloading andwherein the digital music files are treatable by a treatment means independence of an authorization, and wherein the treated music files aretransferable to an output device of the end-user-device, in particular aspeaker means with or without a display device coupled therewith, foracoustic output to an user.

The inventive system 100 particularly preferably has to be understoodparticularly as an application for downloading, for distribution and foracoustic playback of a music album, which includes at least one orseveral digital music files and/or multimedia content in the form of oneor several multimedia files corresponding to the music files. Hereby themusic files and/or multimedia files are provideable as data sets fordownloading, after downloading the music file and/or multimedia file areas data sets pre-holdable grouped corresponding to a music album in adata memory of an end-user-device 101, 103, 104, the music file and/ormultimedia file is treatable with a treatment means 2 in dependency toan authorization and the treated music file and/or multimedia file istransferable to an output device of the end-user-device 101, 103, 104,especially a speaker device with or without a display device coupledtherewith, in that manner that the music file and/or multimedia file canbe emitted at least acoustically to one user.

In FIG. 14a interactive lyrics are shown, which are provided with activecorners. The active corners 501-504 represent elements for guidance ofthe user respectively operator of the end-user-device. The elements501-504 can be shaped as circles, squares or any other symbol. They arepreferably always active or can be made active respectively inactive byfading them in or out, that preferably means displaying them or notdisplaying them. The corners respectively the individual symbols or allsymbols are linked to the home section, the social media section, thesong section and/or a play or stop button. If e.g., the corner symbol502 is actuated the song which is outputted may stop respectively startwhere the song was stopped respectively paused. The linking between theactive corners 501-504 respectively the symbols representing that activecorners 501-504 and specific functions can be preferably set upindependently of specific rules, that preferably means that the activecorners can be linked to each section respectively functional section ofthe present system.

Reference sign 509 indicates further symbols representing functions tomanipulate the output of the end-user-device. The symbols 509 can bepreferably located where ever the user of the end-user-device wants themto be. Furthermore, that symbols 509 may link to the same functions theother symbols 501-504 link and/or to further functions.

In FIG. 14b an example for a start screen of the system according topresent disclosure is shown. The start screen can therefore be equippedwith active corners 501-504 as discussed with respect to FIG. 14a .Symbols respectively linked functions like 509 are not present but couldalso be provided.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. System, in particular application fordownloading, for the distribution and for acoustic playback of a musicalbum, which includes at least one or several digital music files and/ormultimedia content in the form of one or several multimedia filesassignable to the music file, wherein the music file and/or multimediafile are provideable as data sets for downloading, wherein the musicfile and/or multimedia file are as data sets pre-holdable grouped afterdownloading as a music album in a data memory of an end-user-device,wherein the music file and/or multimedia file is treatable by atreatment means, particularly in dependency to an authorization, andwherein the treated music file and/or multimedia file is transferable toan output device of the end-user-device especially a speaker device withor without a display device coupled therewith, in such a way, that themusic file and/or multimedia file is at least acoustically emittable toone user.
 2. System according to claim 1, wherein the data sets are atleast temporarily encrypted pre-holdable, wherein for decryption of thedata sets user identification data detected by the system isexchangeable for authorization with data pre-holded on a server device.3. System according to claim 2, wherein the user identification datacomprise data to the user and to the end-user-device and the datapre-holed on the server device having user-specific profile data. 4.System according to one of claim 1, wherein by means of a storage meansthe music file and/or multimedia file is storable in a data memory ofthe end-user-device, wherein at least a part of the music file and/ormultimedia file is temporarily encrypted; and a control means forcomparison of authorization data with data pre-held on a server deviceis provided, wherein the control means transmits the authorization databy means of a transmitting device of the end-user-device to the serverdevice and wherein after the comparison of the authorization data adecryption code transmitted from the server device to decrypt at leastparts of the encrypted music file and/or multimedia file stored by thestoring means is processable by the control means; and wherein by meansof a treatment means the music file and/or multimedia file decryptedwith the decryption key is treatable and acoustically emittable, inparticular transmittable to a loudspeaker device of the end-user-device.5. System according to claim 4, wherein the decrypted music files and/ormultimedia files are consisting of a plurality of data sets, which areprovided together with several groups of displayable, particularly inmenu form in or tiled form via an optical output means of theend-user-device emitteable labels; wherein a first group of termsindividually refers to each data-set and corresponds at least partiallyto the designation of the respective digital medium of the data-set,particularly reflects the title of the respective music piece stored asdata-set; and a second group of designations reflects a common featureof several of data-sets, especially belonging to a specific album. 6.System according to claim 5, wherein in addition to the data setsfurther data sets, especially with songs of a further album, arestorable in the data memory by the storage means, which are also atleast temporarily encrypted, wherein the second group of designations ofthe further data sets differs from the second group of designations ofthe data sets.
 7. System according to claim 6, wherein the music fileand/or multimedia file of the data sets and the multimedia file of thefurther data sets have at least one common characteristic, in particularare assignable to a specific artist or a specific group of artists. 8.System according to claim 1, wherein the unencrypted multimedia filesare storable in the data memory of the end-user-device by a furtherstorage means.
 9. System according to claim 8, wherein the unencryptedmultimedia files are assignable to a variety of action means, inparticular an information means, a purchase means, a documentation meansand/or a communication means.
 10. System according to claim 9, whereinthe individual action means are designed to exchange data with furtherserver devices different from the server device, whereby data setsassignable to the individual action means, which particularly comprisemultimedia files, such as interviews, news, magazine collaborations,biographies and lyrics, are transmittable or updateable from the furtherserver devices.
 11. System according to claim 9, wherein an action meansdesigned as purchase means provides the appropriate network address,encryption and/or permission for the purchase processing taking placewith one of the further server devices for artist-related analog ordigital goods and services.
 12. System according to claim 9, wherein anaction means designed as a communication means causes a data exchangewith one of the further server devices between an end-user-deviceoperating operator and a communication platform for posting articles orcauses for data exchange with at least one further end-user-device,particularly mobile end-user-device, also equipped with an inventivesystem according to claim
 9. 13. System according claim 9, whereinindividual or all action means or individual or all sub-means of anaction means are displayable in a display format besides further means,such as the treatment means, via an optical output means of theend-user-device.
 14. System according to claim 9, wherein unencrypteddata sets include multimedia files in the form of texts and the textsare outputable output by means of the optical output means of theend-user-device, wherein during simultaneous output of temporarilyencrypted data sets multiple text components of texts pre-hold in theunencrypted data sets are briefly optically emphasizeable depending onthe output of the temporarily encrypted data.
 15. System according toclaim 4, wherein the control means loads for comparing the authorizationdata at least data to the operator and to the end-user-device from astorage means and transmits these data to the server device; the serverdevice transmits in response to the matching request either an errormessage and the control means causes that an input field for inputtingauthorization data is displayed to the operator and repeats thecomparison after the operator has confirmed said input data; or theserver device sends the decryption key to the control means ifpredetermined requirements for the comparison are met, whereby at leasta portion of the encrypted data stored in the storage means will bedecryptabel and renderabel.
 16. Method for outputting of at least onemusic file and/or a multimedia file on an end-user-device, at leastcomprising the steps storing of at least one music file and/ormultimedia file in a data memory of the end-user-device by means of astorage means, wherein at least one part of the music file and/ormultimedia file is temporarily encrypted and unencrypted at leastpartially acoustically renderable by means of the end-user-device;comparing of authorization data with data pre-hold on a server device bymeans of a control means, wherein said control means transmits theauthorization data via a transmission device of the end-user-device tothe server device; and wherein after the comparison of the authorizationdata a decryption key transmitted from the server device for decryptingof at least parts of the encrypted music file and/or multimedia filestored by the storing means is processable by said control means; andtreating and at least acoustically outputting of the music file and/ormultimedia file decrypted by means of the decryption key via speakermeans actuatable by the end-user-device by means of a treatment means.17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the control means loads forcomparing the authorization data at least data to the operator an d tothe end-user-device from a memory means and transmits that data to theserver device; the server device transmits in response to the matchingrequest either an error message and this causes that the control meansdisplays an input field for inputting authorization data to the operatorand repeats the comparison after the operator has confirmed said inputdata; or the server device sends the decryption key to the control meanswhen predetermined requirements of the comparison are met, whereby atleast a portion of the encrypted data stored in the storage means willbe decrypted and rendered.
 18. End-user-device for storing and executingof at least one system according to claim
 1. 19. End-user-deviceaccording to claim 18, wherein several systems according to claim 1 arestoreable and executable on the end-user-device device, wherein a systemforms a master unit, in particular an app album with respect to a firstartist, and the remaining systems form slave instances, in particularapp albums of further artists, wherein the digital music filesassociated with the slave instances are at least temporarily accessibleby means of the master instance.